| |
| At the Hospital
After admission, the patient will have a thorough physical examination, including more blood work, a chest x-ray, and ECG, and, possibly, other tests.
Unfortunately, surgery must be postponed in some cases. The patient will be sent home again if:
- he has an infection or has developed any other medical problem that would interfere with surgery or recovery
- The donor liver shows signs of deterioration or poor function
If surgery is postponed, the transplant team can help the patient through the disappointment. This is only a temporary setback, and the search for a new liver will go on. |
Preparing the Patient for Surgery :
The patient may receive an enema to clean out his intestines and prevent constipation after surgery. His chest and abdomen will be shaved clean to prevent infection, and an intravenous (IV) line will be inserted in his arm or just under his collarbone to give medication and keep him from getting dehydrated. The patient will also be given a sedative to help him relax and feel sleepy before going to the operating room.
The Liver Transplant Surgery Procedure :
The patient will be under general anesthesia throughout the surgery. Once asleep, the transplant surgeon will make an incision shaped like a symbol of Mercedes Benz on the upper part of the abdomen. The surgical team will then remove the patient's old liver, leaving portions of his major blood vessels in place. The new liver will then be inserted and attached to these blood vessels and to the patient's bile ducts. To help with bile drainage, a tube may also be inserted in the bile duct during surgery.
Waking Up in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) :
After the surgery, the patient will wake up in the intensive care unit after the anesthesia wears off.
This is what the patient should expect:
- Some pain and discomfort, which medication will help to relieve.
- A tube will be inserted through the patient's nose. This tube will run down the patient's throat and into his stomach. This tube will keep the stomach empty, to help prevent nausea and vomiting.
- A tube may be inserted into the patient's throat to help him get enough oxygen. It will be connected to a breathing machine called a ventilator. The patient should try to relax and let the machine breathe for him. The patient will not be able to talk with this tube in place, but he will only need it for a few days. Nurses will do everything they can to help the patient communicate. The patient's throat may feel sore or scratchy for a few days afterward.
- The patient will be asked to cough periodically to keep his lungs clear. If it hurts to cough, the patient should ask someone to support his abdomen.
- The patient will have an IV line in his arm or neck under the collarbone, which will be used to give fluids and medication for the first few days after surgery.
- For several days after surgery, the patient will have a catheter in his bladder to drain urine. He may feel uncomfortable, and may feel that he has to urinate constantly, but it is only temporary.
- During surgery, several drains will be placed in or near the incision. These drains will be removed 5 to 10 days after surgery.
The length of a hospital stay will depend on a patient's progress. |
| |
|
